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 Volume 62         
 July 2014                                             
    
Greetings from B & A Realtors
"Come for a Day and Stay for a Lifetime..." 

 

 Five Things You Should Know About Home Inspections 

 

If you're hiring someone to inspect the home you want to buy, or you're a seller trying to find out if there are any hidden problems that need fixing before you put your home on the market, here are five things you need to know:

 

1. You can choose your home inspector.

Your real estate professional can recommend an inspector, or you can find one on your own. Members of the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI), must complete an approved home inspector training program, demonstrate experience and competence as a home inspector, complete a written exam, and adhere to the NAHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

 

2. Home inspections are intended to point out adverse conditions, not cosmetic flaws.

You should attend the inspection and follow the inspector throughout the inspection so you can learn what's important and what's not. No house is perfect and an inspection on any home is bound to uncover faults. A home inspector will point out conditions that need repair and/or potential safety-related concerns relating to the home. They won't comment on cosmetic items if they don't impair the integrity of the home. They also do not do destructive testing.

 

3. Home inspection reports include only the basics.

A home inspector considers hundreds of items during an average inspection. The home inspection should include the home's exterior, steps, porches, decks, chimneys, roof, windows, and doors. Inside, they will look at attics, electrical components, plumbing, central heating and air conditioning, basement/crawlspaces, and garages.

They report on the working order of items such as faucets to see if they leak, or garage doors to see if they close properly. Inspectors may point out termite damage and suggest that you get a separate pest inspection. The final written report should be concise and easy to understand.

 

4. Home inspectors work for the party who is paying the fee.

The NAHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics clearly state that members act as an unbiased third party to the real estate transaction and "will discharge the Inspector's duties with integrity and fidelity to the client." A reputable home inspector will not conduct a home inspection or prepare a home inspection report if his or her fee is contingent on untruthful conclusions.

The inspector should maintain client confidentiality and keep all report findings private, unless required by court order. That means it is your choice whether or not to share the report with others. If you're a seller, you don't have to disclose the report to buyers, but you must disclose any failure in the systems or integrity of your home.

 

5. Inspectors are not responsible for the condition of the home.

Inspectors don't go behind walls or under flooring, so it's possible that a serious problem can be overlooked. Keep in mind that inspectors are not party to the sales transaction, so if you buy a home where an expensive problem surfaces after the sale, you won't be able to make the inspector liable or get the inspector to pay for the damage. In fact, you may not be entitled to any compensation beyond the cost of the inspection.

As a buyer, you need the home inspection to decide if the home is in condition that you can tolerate. You can use the report to show the seller the need for a certain repair or negotiate a better price. You can also take the report to a contractor and use it to make repairs or to remodel a section of the home.

 

One thing you should not do when buying a home is skip having the home inspected because of cost or undue pressure by the seller. A home inspection is reasonable, it can save you money in the long run, and it's required by many lenders, particularly for FHA loans. There's a reason why buyers should beware, and a home inspection gives you the information you need to make a sound buying decision.   

 

Prices are starting in the high $200's!

Now is the time to purchase, don't let an opportunity to purchase with low interest rates and lower prices pass you by.   Prices are rising in The Villages so don't wait...today is the BEST day to purchase!  

 

We have Villas and homes currently being offered from the
high $200,000's to $800,000+.  CALL today  (408) 274.8766 for a tour and find your home in this "hidden gem" in Santa Clara Valley.

 

To preview CURRENT Villages listings, go to The Villages Listings 

 

 


"Like" B & A Realtors.  I welcome you, your family and/or friends to become my new neighbors in this beautiful gated community.

     Sincerely,

      Carla 

Oh, By The Way
, I'm never too busy for your Referrals

Client/Business Associate Testimonial:  

 

"With Thanks for your Kindness, Carla   A simple act of kindness has a beauty all its own...Your thoughtfulness made this process more doable and that meant a lot in those moments of frustration.  Thank you."  -  Sheila and GG, Sellers, Village Montgomery,  The Villages Golf & Country Club  

 

 

   Quote for the month:    

   

 "I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow." - Woodrow Wilson

 

 

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High $200's Prices!
JULY -

The Villages Golf & Country Club

Luxury properties, professionally landscaped, Golf Course views, City views, openness of the community, trees, and waterfalls.

We have many properties for sale in this Resort-Style Senior Living for the Active Adult 55 years + that range in price from high $200,000's to $800,000+. To receive an EXCLUSIVE tour of the community and preview selected properties,    CALL TODAY - 408.274.8766.
Quick Link


JULY -
Opera Lover's Club
The Villages Opera Lover's Club is a social organization with the purpose of enhancing the knowledge and enjoyment of opera within The Villages and supporting opera in the greater San Jose community.

Please join the artists from the Opera San Jose resident company on Friday, July 18 at 7 p.m. in The Villages Clubhouse as they present a concert of arias.   To attend this special evening, register in the Community Resource Center, Building B and this special evening is yours for only $12/person.
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Carla Griffin
Broker/Owner
CRS/SRES/BS 


CalBRE#00710852
California Licensee

B & A Realtors
2059 Camden Ave., #250
San Jose, CA   95124

Email to Carla




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